(Posted
6:30 a.m., June 22)
Tropical-like
weather the star at this years Carivibe event
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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A
performer at this year's Carivibe event on
Petrie Island leads the crowd though some
dance moves on Saturday. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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For
the second year in a row, Ottawas annual Carivibe
festival was blessed with tropical-like weather on the
weekend and the thousands of patrons who ventured to Petrie
Island to enjoy the island rhythms and Caribbean fare
were the main beneficiaries.
Montreal
resident Joseph Williams heard about the event through
friends in the Guynayan community. He and his friend Phyllis
George, were impressed with both the location and the
atmosphere.
I
dont think they could have picked a better place
to have this, said Williams. You have the
sun, the beach, beautiful women... you cant ask
for more than that. Im loving it man.
That
type of response brings a smile to the face of Carivibe
co-organizer Trevor Mason.
Thats
what its all about, says Mason. Thats
why we do what we do and put in all the hard work, so
that the people can have a great time celebrating Caribbean
culture. Of course it helps when you blessed with weather
like this. Its just what we ordered.
Carivibe
brings together the best of Caribbean food with traditional
music from the islands including Zouk, Soca, Salsa, and
Dancehall. And while the action was hot and heavy in the
beer garden, the place to be was at the front of the stage
among the waving flags representing countries like Jamaica,
St. Lucia, Barbados and Domenica.
Simon
from Orléans by way of Barbados, has been coming
to Carivibe ever since it was moved to Petrie Island from
the Rideau-Carleton Raceway in 2008.
Weve
never missed it. This is the best, said Simon while
taking a break from the dance pit.
Sandra
Ferguson is co-owner of Bananas on the Beach, which does
a brisk business both inside the Carivibe festival enclosure
and at their permanent location beside the lifeguard building.
Despite
the long hours spent preparing for the onslaught of hungry
Carivibe patrons, she was still smiling after the lunch
rush.
Oh
my goodness. Its been crazy, but its been
fun. Every-one is in great spirits. The sun is shining.
Its hot, but not too hot. Its impossible not
to have a good time at Carivibe.
As
successful as the event has become, Mason promises next
years Carivibe will be the biggest and best yet
in conjunction with Canadas 150th birthday, starting
with the return of the Carivibe parade which was suspended
for logistical reasons three years ago.
The
parade will begin at the Orléans Town Centre and
wind its way down St-Joseph to Tenth Line Road and then
down Tenth Line to North Service Road and the beach.
A
lot of people keep asking about the parade and when it
will return and now we can tell them next year,
says Mason.
In
the past, the parade has traditionally kicked off the
Carivibe festival.
(This
story was made possible thanks to their generous support
of our local business partners.)
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